AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on February 15, 2021, 07:49:24 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/pIezwyR.jpg)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: February 23, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
Plot
Nominated for five* Academy Awards®, including Best Actress in a Leading Role for Ross, LADY SINGS THE BLUES brilliantly captures the essence of Billie Holiday, one of America’s most loved and memorable blues singers. Filled with the greatest songs of the incomparable "Lady Day," the film won Image Awards for Best Motion Picture, Best Actress (Ross) and Best Actor (Billy Dee Williams), as well as a Golden Globe® for Ross as the year’s Most Promising Newcomer – Female. Richard Pryor also stars as the unforgettable “Piano Man.”
My Thoughts
I like historical films and biopics definitely fall into this category so when this hit my inbox, I had to put in the request. Technically speaking, this is an excellent film. The story is compelling, the acting is top-notch—especially Ross and Williams—but damn it is depressing. To see the talent that was wasted by Holiday due to her addiction to heroine is very disappointing and she died much too young at 44 because she couldn’t shake the habit. By no means is this a pick me up and my wife and I both needed to watch something lighthearted before turning in for bed or else we wouldn’t be able to sleep.
The presentation is a bit rough around the edges and the film is in definite need for a higher resolution master. Detail is all over the place with some scenes being razor sharp and others out of focus. This may be due to the photography, but it wasn’t exactly pretty to look at. The audio track is mostly front-loaded and opens up when the musical numbers kick in, but the recording level is all over the map and dynamics aren’t anything to write home about.
Video 3.5/5
Audio 3/5 (Dolby TrueHD 5.1)
Special Features:
- Commentary
- Making-of Featurette
- Deleted Scenes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z60rycVGlek
Conclusion
I didn’t know how Holiday had died but watching the film you knew it wasn’t going to end well. Much like famous many famous people today, the allure of narcotics is too strong to stay away from. It’s sad to watch but maybe there’s a lesson in here for younger audiences to stay away from drugs because in the end the drug usually prevails. Recommended for fans of biopics.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner